1979-05-23 Special Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • Special Meeting 5/23/79 2 2. JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COMMISSION AND REPRESENTATIVES OF INDUSTRY TO DSSCUSS THE NEW INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT AGREEMENTS (CONTINUED) Commissioner Tom C. Simons, Commissioner Virginia Cline, Commissioner John Tomerlin, City Secretary/Clerk, Margie Goyen, and himself; the resource personnel, City Attorney, Knox Askins, Tax Consultant, Hugh Landrum, and City Administrator, Jim Hudgens. Mayor Meza stated that the City Attorney would start the discussion and would rely on the expertise of Hugh Landrum and Jim Hudgens to answer questions regarding City policy. The City Commission left the Council Bench and took seats in front of the Council Bench at the tables nearer the industrial representatives. Mr. Askins expressed appreciation to all the industrial repre- sentatives for coming to the meeting to discuss the new industrial district contracts, and gave a bit of history regarding the first industrial contracts. Mr. Hugh Patterson of Baker & Botts was present and had been • present some 21 years ago when the first industrial contracts were made. He was of the opinion that La Porte was the first City in the state of Texas to have industrial contracts. These contracts were formalized and validated by legislation in 1963. The concept being that for seven years the City agrees ,not to annex any additional land from that industry. The company is annexed by 25~, and they pay total ad valorem taxes on that 25~. On the remaining 75$, they pay in lieu payment rate which is 25~ of the ad valorem tax rate. The current contracts with industry will expire on August 31, 1979. The bottom line would be 43.75 of the tax rate. Over the years the government of the City of La Porte has been very, very conservative. To prove this the City of La Porte has had a stable tax rate since 1948. In fact now, it is one cent lower than it was at that time. In 1977 it was up ten to fifteen cents, but now it is lower. Many citizens of La Porte work for industry. The Chamber of Commerce now has a Salute to Industry Week showing appreciation to industry. La Porte doing in land and Pasadena • the both has tried to stay aware as to what other cities are regard to industry; in 1977, Houston took 100 of their 60~ of improvements; the bottom line would be 60+. was 50$ and Deer Park was 35~ of the plant annex, and ~m line would be 45~.